Ageing is different from any other demographic and social processes.

Social policies are guidelines that tell us how to act in a particular need of a specific group of persons at a particular moment. Social change participates in economic, political and religious dimensions. Moreover, agents for change can be classified as external or internal.The basic purpose of any policy is social welfare, which means providing equal opportunities to all individuals without any discrimination. This social help is based on preventive, remedial and developmental services increasing social functioning of ageing. Furthermore, its aim is to create, promote and maintain active roles for elderly people in their community.Another concept of welfare society is to develop programmes that ensure elderly people participation.Welfare state is a mistake of western society with an aged population, which includes:

• Ageism, which means, a negative attitude to elderly because of their age.

• Paternalism makes elderly people passive and decreases their independence.

• The act of promoting welfare by providing facilities and services is called humanitarianism.

• As result of reducing contact with society appears segregation. In addition, generation gap is the lack of participation between generations.

Although health is the most important aspect, elderly people have other basic needs; such as, nutrition, family, income security and education.Definitely, there are some basic aims in social policy; help the person distinguishing between real and artificial need, help himself to take part in all sectors of life, and raise their sense of dignity.In an age care centre elderly and their families’ problems are taken care of. They offer services for both, senior citizens and their families. Additionally, medical care is available and they take elderly people to excursions.

 

Source: Buettner, L & L. Martin, S. (1995). Therapeutic Recreation in the Nursing Home. PA: State College, Venture Publishing. Consulting date, 5 December 2007  

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